The Ministry of Textiles reported a 7% increase in textile and apparel exports, including handicrafts, from April to December 2024, compared to the previous year.
Status of India in Textiles- India continues to rank among the top textile-exporting nations in global textiles and apparel exports.
It boasts a robust raw material base comprising natural fibres like cotton, silk, wool, and jute, alongside man-made fibres.
Key export markets for Indian textiles- USA, European Union, and UK.
Government initiatives to boost textile sector
To strengthen India’s position in the global textile market.
PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme - Aimed at building world-class textile infrastructure.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme - Focusing on MMF fabric, apparel, and technical textiles, seeks to boost large-scale manufacturing.
Scheme For Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH) - A capacity-building program designed to provide placement-oriented skilling in the textile sector.
Minimum Support Price – Given annually to ensure the steady supply of cotton and encourage its cultivation.
National Technical Textiles Mission (2020-2026)- Focuses on cutting-edge research in specialty fibres and application-based textiles such as geotextiles, medical textiles, and sports textiles.
The mission also promotes research into biodegradable textiles using unconventional natural fibres like milkweed and bamboo.
The Ministry of Textiles conducted various innovation challenges in collaboration with Startup India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
International Agreements -India has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) to enhance its export potential.
Reducing Custom Duties -The custom duty on Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton was reduced to zero from 2024.
It allows duty-free ELS cotton imports under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).
The Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme and the Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) program supports by enhancing competitiveness and promoting zero-rated exports.
To curb the import of low-quality knitted fabrics, the government imposed a Minimum Import Price (MIP) on relevant Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes.
Various Quality Control Orders (QCOs) have been implemented to safeguard domestic producers from the influx of substandard goods.
